Cross: Droger takes second win in two days

Dieter Droger took his second win of the weekend as he sprinted to victory in the CSP Waddow Cyclo-Cross in Clitheroe.

The 32-year-old Barnsley man, who won in the SRAM Notts and Derby League yesterday, got off to a great start with Giles Drake (Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes) keeping pace.

The two riders escaped the field and went on to work together with Droger leading off round the technical parts and Drake doing the donkey work on the climbs.

As the final lap approached, the riders agreed to decide the race with a sprint. The man in the Pioneer Scott colours held off the challenge of Drake and crossed the line with a comfortable lead.

Droger said after the race: “Giles and I rode away from the start and we’re good friends so we didn’t want to attack! I was quicker in the technical parts and he did all the leg work in the climbs. We had a chat about how to finish the race and he suggested a sprint.

“I knew I’d be quicker so I made sure I got to the technical part first and I managed to hold it to the end.

“It’s been a funny year, I stopped racing in November and didn’t the touch bike until June. I’m coached by Kevin Dawson and he said this would be my best season yet, because of the break.

“He was right, it’s felt easy so far. I’ve had more come backs than Rocky but the rest has done me good. Giles has done a full road series, you can’t be sharp all year, I’ve come to realise that.

“It was a good battle with Giles today and we only really had to watch out for Rob Partridge who is really good at the stiff climbs although I think we finished a good minute-and-a-half ahead of him.”

British Cycling would like to thank the organising team, officials and everyone else who helped promote this event. Our sport could not exist without the hundreds of people, many of them unpaid volunteers, who put in many hours of hard work running events, activities and clubs.